Sesame Street icon Bob McGrath, who started on the show in 1967 and went on for 47 seasons, has died at the age of 90
- Bob McGrath, one of the original stars of “Sesame Street,” died Sunday at the age of 90, his family said
- “He died peacefully at home surrounded by his family,” read a post on the entertainer’s Facebook page
- McGrath was one of four cast members hired for the 1969 launch of Sesame Street
- McGrath interacted with humans and muppets on Sesame Street for 47 seasons until his release in 2017
Bob McGrath, one of Sesame Street’s first stars, has died at the age of 91.
McGrath appeared in the pilot episode in 1969 and went on to star in an additional 47 seasons.
The news of the actor’s death was shared by the family on his official Facebook page.
“Our father Bob McGrath passed away today. He died peacefully at home surrounded by his family,” read a post on the entertainer’s Facebook page.
McGrath finally stopped acting on Sesame Street with his final episode titled “Having a Ball” in 2017.
McGrath has directed classes for children through his puppetry and also wrote original sons for the production, including “People in Your Neighborhood,” “Sing a Song,” “If You’re Happy And You Know It,” and the Sesame Street theme song.
One of the original stars of Sesame Street, Bob McGrathm, has died at the age of 91
The four regular Sesame Street hosts are pictured during their first season. Seen from left: Bob McGrath, Matt Robinson, Will Lee and Loretta Long
McGrath was one of four cast members hired to launch Sesame Street in 1969, playing a character named Bob alongside Matt Robinson as Gordon, Loretta Long as Susan, and Will Lee as Mr. Hooper.
“We’ve always thought of kids as little people,” McGrath told The Sun-Times in 1998.
“I think we’ve reached the kids we were meant to reach,” McGrath added. “You’ve grown up. They are now in their 30s. They have children of their own, our sesame seeds, and they come up to me and say, “Thank you very much. It changed our lives a lot.”
Although McGrath finally retired from filming Sesame Street in 2017, he continued to work behind the scenes with Sesame Workshop.
McGrath is pictured center of the photo at Sesame Street’s 50th birthday celebration in 1999
Bob McGrath celebrated his 90th birthday in June as pictured above
McGrath can be seen next to some dolls in a photo taken in September
He continued to appear at public events related to the television franchise and served as the show’s advocate.
He has also starred in numerous Sesame Street productions over the years, including standalone films, sing-alongs, holiday specials, video games and more.
He last appeared in the 2021 documentary Sesame Gang: How We Got to Sesame Street.
Prior to Sesame Street, McGrath sang the hits of the week as part of the vocal ensemble on conductor Mitch Miller’s 1960s NBC series Singing Along With Mitch.
He was one of the longest serving human adult cast members on the show and is survived by his wife Ann and their three children and five grandchildren.
Sesame Street cast member Bob McGrath is pictured in December 2021
Bob McGrath is pictured in 2008. He still appeared at public events related to the television franchise and served as the show’s advocate
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